PFA chairman Clarke Carlisle hopes Manchester United boss Sir Alex Ferguson doesn't punish Rio Ferdinand after the defender chose not to wear his 'Kick it Out' t-shirt on Saturday.

Ferguson says he was "embarrassed" by Ferdinand's actions.

But Carlisle says: "Sir Alex Ferguson is trying to reaffirm his unwavering support of the Kick It Out campaign, and that's fantastic.

"But this should not be seen as player-versus-club or dissension from a player against their employer.

"This is about a group of players and some wider issues that transcend that relationship..."